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Western Water Law & Policy Reporter

June 2025

Volume 29, Number 8 June 2025

WESTERN WATER NEWS

Reviving the Desert: California Advances Restoration of the New River and Continues Progress for the Salton Sea Management Program with East Pond Expansion Filling159

Irrigation Season on the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer Begins Far More Smoothly in 2025 than Was the Case in 2024161

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

Assembly Bill 104: Nevada Adopts Water Rights Retirement Program163

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

Federal Fisheries Agencies Propose Rule Rescinding the Regulatory Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act165

California Department of Water Resources Completes its Initial Evaluation of Remaining Groundwater Sustainability Plans in California166

Washington State Pursues A “Drought Insurance Program” for Interruptible Water Rights on the Columbia River168

PENALTIES & SANCTIONS

Recent Penalties, Sanctions and EPA News170

JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS

California Court of Appeal Reverses Preliminary Injunction Involving Fish Flows174

Bring Back the Kern v. City of Bakersfield, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. F087487 (5th Dist. Apr. 2, 2025).

Colorado Supreme Court Reaffirms No-Injury Standards When Evaluating Plans for Augmentation175

Concerning the Application for Water Rights of the Town of Firestone, 2025 CO 33 (Colo. May 27, 2025).